FAQ: Did Masons suffer at the hands of the Nazis?

[Larry the Mason from Holbrook]

The Freemasonry FAQ

Version 1.0
August 2006

This Frequently Asked Question comes from the weekly USENET MASONRY FAQ, posted to alt.freemasonry every Friday at 08:00 Pacific. Please refer to the weekly FAQ for other resource and contact information.

60
Did Masons suffer at the hands of the Nazis?

Yes. The exact numbers are unknown. Lt. Col. David Boyd wrote that
85,000 German Masons were killed by the Nazis, though other research
has found that this number may be off by as much as a third. This
figure does not include any of the nations the Nazis occupied.

Regardless of the actual number killed, it is clear that Hitler viewed
Masonry, which exalts truth, toleration, brotherly love, and free
thought, to be dangerous and a threat to his regime. Ironically, in
his last days in his bunker in Berlin, Hitler had a painting of
Frederick the Great in his chambers. Frederick the Great was a Mason.

 

[Warrior1256]

Ironically, in
his last days in his bunker in Berlin, Hitler had a painting of
Frederick the Great in his chambers. Frederick the Great was a Mason.

Very true.

 

[acjohnson53]

The Freemasonry FAQ

Version 1.0
August 2006

This Frequently Asked Question comes from the weekly USENET MASONRY FAQ, posted to alt.freemasonry every Friday at 08:00 Pacific. Please refer to the weekly FAQ for other resource and contact information.

60
Did Masons suffer at the hands of the Nazis?

Yes. The exact numbers are unknown. Lt. Col. David Boyd wrote that
85,000 German Masons were killed by the Nazis, though other research
has found that this number may be off by as much as a third. This
figure does not include any of the nations the Nazis occupied.

Regardless of the actual number killed, it is clear that Hitler viewed
Masonry, which exalts truth, toleration, brotherly love, and free
thought, to be dangerous and a threat to his regime. Ironically, in
his last days in his bunker in Berlin, Hitler had a painting of
Frederick the Great in his chambers. Frederick the Great was a Mason.

To add to that, that is where the flower "forget me nots" were used to identify the German Brothers from one another......

 

[Glen Cook]

To add to that, that is where the flower "forget me nots" were used to identify the German Brothers from one another......

Afraid that is a fable

 

[MarkR]

For more on this topic, I suggest you read The Red Triangle by Robert L.D. Cooper. The title refers to the identifying patch Freemasons were required to wear in the camps.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Red-Triangle-History-Anti-Masonry/dp/0853183325

 

[MarkR]

Afraid that is a fable

Yep. Here's the best treatment of the story that I've found, by highly-regarded Masonic researcher Alain Bernheim, who lived through the occupation of Paris. http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/bernheim3.html

 

[Dontrell Stroman]

Afraid that is a fable

So the story behind "forget me not" is a fable ?

 

[Glen Cook]

So the story behind "forget me not" is a fable ?

See Mark Robbins' link, above

 

[acjohnson53]

I knew by virture of what I was told, from one brother to another that I would I would stir up a little something on the topic...Teach me more...

Bro Albert C. Johnson
Philomathean Lodge #2
MWPHGLCA
AASR Valley of Vilseck

 

[acjohnson53]

Well I was almost right go to the Masonic Network Blog. Type in "The Story Behind The Forget Me Not", might give a little insight on the issue...some good stuff

 

[Mike Martin]

You may find this paper of interest, as it wasn't just Nazis:

http://h2g2.com/entry/A25741596

 

[acjohnson53]

Ain't this Internet wonderful???

 

[Elexir]

Masons also was prosecuted in the countries wich the nazis occupied and most masons did flee.
In Denmark they actully occupied Freemasons hall i Copenhagen and used it as hedquarters for the Danish SS corps.

 

[SørenSweR(I)]

Masons also was prosecuted in the countries wich the nazis occupied and most masons did flee.
In Denmark they actully occupied Freemasons hall i Copenhagen and used it as hedquarters for the Danish SS corps.

When occupation was imminent, a couple of clever and quick-thinking brothers grabbed their actual masonic gear and walled off our most precious relics in secret, where they could be salvaged once the occupation ended.

 

[Warrior1256]

When occupation was imminent, a couple of clever and quick-thinking brothers grabbed their actual masonic gear and walled off our most precious relics in secret, where they could be salvaged once the occupation ended.

Interesting info!